Imagine living in a poor rural area or urban slum[2] with sporadic or no electricity: the reality is, you would still need a cell phone[3]. Today, Samsung India launched the first solar-powered phone, the Solar Guru, which allows users to charge the phone anywhere the sun is shining — and in India, that’s most places. The Guru is the first solar mobile phone to hit the market, and, at $60, it’s designed to be affordable as well.

One hour of solar charging provides 5 to 10 minutes of talk time. It takes 40 hours to get a full charge — a number that will most likely come down as the technology is refined. Other mobile phone companies[4] are also working[5] on solar-powered phones.

With free electricity[6], the phone will save users money and make them more available for economic opportunities.